Insulating device



W. BROAD April 22, 1930.

INSULATING DEVICE F'iled Dec. 28, 1927 INVENTOR are usually mounted on spaced insulating,

Patented Apr. 22, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT? OFFICE WILLIAM BROAD, OF BEAVER FALLS, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF THBEE-IOUBTHS TO HARRY E. MCLAIN, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA INSULATING DEVICE Application filed December 28, 1927.

My invention relates to insulating devices and particularly to supports for insulating crossed electrical conductors of different polarity in electrical Wiring systems.

In electrical distributing systems employing open work wiring, it is frequentlg necessary to carry conductors of opposite polarity across one another. As the conductors brackets, or are supported by tubes extending through timbers, the conductors are free to flex. In pulling the conductor taut it frequently happens that the supporting devices yield or loosen sufficiently to permit the conduct-or to come into engagement with adjacent fixed conductors. In some cases the latter conductors are flexed from their original positions. Where the conductors are covered with rubber or composition insulating material and two conductors under tension are in direct engagement, the insulating covering is apt to be rubbed or scraped sufficiently to impair itsinsulating properties. In some cases the insulation is wholly'torn or worn away so that the current carrying wires of different polarity are brought into direct engagement. The engagement of the current carrying wires results either in a short circuit of suflicient magnitude to blow out fuses or open-service switches-for the distributing system, or, if of insufiicient mag nitude to interrupt service, it produces a condition of electrical arcing and sparking which is liable to ignite the adjacent timbers or other inflammable material. Many fires have been started from such causes.

Heretofore electricians have taped a porcelain tube of the type common in open work wiring systems on one of the conductors at a point opposite the cross conductor. Upon lateral movement of one of the con ductors relative to the other conductor, the crossing pointis apt to shift to a point not opposite the tube. Where this condition is observed the tube must be taped and shifted to the true cross point. However, it frequently happens that the electrical conductors are hidden from view and such relative movement is not observed. In such cases the conductors areapt to lie in direct engagement Serial No. 243,010.

with each other with the resultant danger of a condition of short-circuitin To maintain crossed electrical conductors separated while permitting longitudinal movement of the individual conductors, I provide an insulating device that is characterized by the use of one conductor for positively locking the insulating device in its as sembled position. The separated conductors are free to move relative to each other and to the insulating device.

The insulating device comprises a base member of substantially U-shape having a seat for a conductor at approximately the base thereof and aligned openings near the ends of its arms. A second member having an opening is inserted between the arms of the base so that an electrical conductor extending through the openings in the arms and through the second member locks the insulating device in assembled position. The second member secures the conductor in the seat in the base member. Accordingly, the length of the leakage path between the two conductors is approximately half the width of the second member plus its radial length from the opening. To provide'for longitudinal movement of the conductor seated in the base relative to the insulating device, the second member may be made in the form of a roller. Adjustment of the position of the insulating device is had by the longitudinal movement of one conductor through the openin s in the base and in the second member an by the movement of the second conductor between the base and the second member; The insulating device may be made of porcelain, hard rubber, phenolic condensation products, or any other well-known insulating material.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present preferred embodiment of the inven tion, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the insulating device in assembled position;

Figure 2 is a face view, partially in section, thereof; and

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of an elec trical distributing system showing the application of my insulating device thereto.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, I provide an ---ings 7 disposed nearthe ends of its arms in alignment with an opening 8 in the closure member 6. When fastening means 9, such as an electrical conductor, is passed through the openings 7 and 8, it serves to secure the closure member 6 andthebase 2' iii assembled relation, It. is to be understood that the insulating devicemay be used as a support for electrical conductors by extending a wire,

rliiail i or the like-through the openings 7 and "8. The base 2 and closure member 6 are of any non-magnetic inaterialsucli as porcelain, I hardru bber, phenol c condensation products and the like.

.Theinsulating distance between a conductorlOdisposed in tlie seat 5 and the conductor'9 isapproxiinately half the width of'the closure member 6 and the distance from its lower edge'to the ,opening 8. For maintainiiig th is insulating distance substantially constant for different sizes of"coiidi i ctors 10, I

her 6, With .dilfernt sizes jofwire the slioulprovide the Seat 5 witli' should eis 11 that are losed by the oiiter edge of the closure mem- {iders I1. andthe-edge bf the closure member 6 cooperate to center. it 'in the bottom of. the 5 seat 5. The edges ot the base 2 at the seat 5,:ire slightly [rounded to prevent the .tearing andicuttingfofw the covering of the f c onductor 10. when the latter moves relative to: the base.

.. Toprovide for relative longitudinal movement between the conductor and the insulating de vicepQ, the closure" member 6 is nade in the form. of a roller, although it is to be understood that other "shapesof the closure member 6' are contemplated within the scope of the invention. The conductor 9 isfree to move through theopenings '7 and 8 relative .to the base'EL'. 'hen the tension on the conducto'rs 9 and 10 is such as to cause a relative movement of the insulating device 2 therebetween, the closure member 6 turns about the conductor 9 as the insulating device moves along .the-eonductorll. At the same time the eonductor. 9 slips through the openings and 8 until a condition of equilibrium is arrived at. it

Referring to Figure 3, one application of l theinsulating device is in use on-ope n work .systemsof electrical distribution. In such systems conductors 14 and 15 of differing" polarity are connected to branch circuits 16.

The conductors are usually supported on orcelain knobs and tubes. It, has heretofore een customary to place and tape a tube on the conductors of the circuits 16 extending across the conductor 15. However, upon rela tive movement of the conductors, the tubes move out of alignment with the conductors which they are designed to normally protect. \Vhen such movement takes place, and the .wires are visible. it is necessary to shift the position of the tube 2. However when such movement takes place and the conductors are hidden from view, the conductors are liable to lie directly in engagement with each other with the resultant danger of ultimate shortcircuiting them.

I permit relative movement between the conductor and insure that the insulating device is always in position by providing the cross conductors of the branch circuit 16 and the conductor-'15 with my insulating devices 2. The time required forapplyi'ng theinsulatiiig device 2 is'much less than that which has heretofore been required in ta ping, a tube on the conductor; It is to be understiiod that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the scope of the'following claims.-

I claim 1. In an insulating device,a base having a groove therein, outwardly extending portions disposed on opposi i sides (if-the groove, the outwardly extcn portions having aligned openings therein, and a member having an opening tlieretl'irtuigli disposed be tween said portions and above the groove whereby an electrical conductor extending through the openings in the projecting por tions and the second member secures the lat ter in place.

2. An insulating device comprising a base member of U-shape. the arms of which are provided near their ends with alined open.- ings, a groove at the bottom of the base for the reception of an electrical conductor, and a roller of insulating inaterialmountable between the arms of the yoke and ha'ving'an opening for alinement with the openings in the arms of the yoke whereby an electrical conductor extending through the several openings secures the roller in place and the roller secures an electrical conductor in said groove.

3. In an insulating device, a base having a seat for an electrical conductor, an electrical distribution conductor or wire seated therein, closure means of insulatingv material ''k'tending across the seat, and means for holding the closure nieans in place comprising a second distribution conductor or wire extending through the base. through theclosure means, and then through the base whereby the closure means serves as an insulating medium be: tween the conductors.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

' WILLIAM BROAD. 

